Tall Timbers seeks landowner applications for funding support
Landowners within the basins of the St. Marks and Aucilla Rivers, including portions of Leon, Jefferson, Wakulla, Madison and Taylor counties in Florida, and Brooks, Thomas and Grady counties in Georgia, can apply for funding and technical assistance for prescribed fire implementation, longleaf pine tree establishment, timber stand improvements, invasive plant treatment and wildlife habitat improvement.
Support for installation of conservation practices is made available by a multi-year financial assistance grant from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP).
Staff with Tall Timbers, a regional nonprofit research station and land conservancy, is available to provide the technical assistance by meeting with interested landowners to discuss their specific needs, determine property conditions, offer guidance and support in completing the NRCS application and provide advice as needed.
“No matter the property owner’s land management experience, we are with them every step of the way and will help them get their project completed,” said Tyler Macmillan, Tall Timbers Landowner Liaison for the NRCS-RCPP grant.
Non-industrial private forest landowners are eligible for cost-share financial assistance from NRCS that typically covers about 60 to 75 percent of the practice cost for approved land management activities.
This funding helps to conserve the natural beauty and rural character of the Aucilla and St. Marks watersheds, said Nelson Ball, RCPP biologist with Tall Timbers.
“Our region is dependent upon the good stewardship of our private landowners. Implementing management practices supported by this cost share program can improve habitats for wildlife, promote timber production, protect water resources, and increase groundwater recharge,” he said. “We are excited for the opportunity to assist landowners in achieving their stewardship goals through the RCPP program.”
Interested parties can submit applications year-round to obtain funding. However, cutoff dates for receipt of applications for the next funding cycle will be later this fall, most likely in November.
Private landowners or agricultural producers interested in applying for RCPP land management funding can contact Tyler Macmillan at 850-556-5799 or tmacmillan@talltimbers.org or Nelson Ball at nball@talltimbers.org.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida, Georgia landowners can apply to Tall Timbers for funding
